Monday, January 14, 2013

"The economy has just not been good for us," co-owner Pat Siegfried said Monday. "We've had some wonderful, loyal customers, just not enough."

Though it also sells toys, the store is considered one of the nation's oldest continually operating children's bookstores. It opened
in 1978, run by Louise Sanford and her mother, Fannie Blackwelder, and operated for years on Cherokee Road in Myers Park/Eastover.

Pat Siegfried and June Hargrove bought the store in 2008, weeks before the height of the recession. Both are former librarians who delighted in matching children with just the right picture book or educational toy. Siegfried served for 14 years as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library's youth services director.

In 2011, they relocated to a purple house
at 1942 Seventh St. in Elizabeth. The move more than doubled their retail space, and they hoped it would increase sales. But a weak economy, coupled with competition from online sellers and e-readers, proved too much to overcome, Siegfried said.

All store items are now at least 30 percent off. Siegfried encouraged anyone with a gift certificate to use it now. The store's last day will be between Jan. 23 and 26, she said.

"Our website is setup so you can see some of the books & toys we have in the store, but it’s not meant for live checkout. It also only shows a small portion of what we carry in the store! Please contact us if you would like to make a purchase."

Retail book/toy store with no e-commerce? Hard to be successful with that model in 2013.

This is sad news for me.... I have been involved with the Black Forest since its first day....I used to purchase for my own children, now my grandchildren. As a teacher, I always went there for the very best. Where will we all go now? While there are other toyshops in Charlotte, where are the children's bookshops comparable to the Black Forest?

Dannye Romine Powell

Dannye Romine Powell

About this blog

Dannye Romine Powell has published three collections of poetry (University of Arkansas Press), and a non-fiction book, "Parting the Curtains: Interviews with Southern Writers" (John Blair). Over her years at the Observer, she's served as book review editor, feature writer, restaurant critic and local news columnist. Count on her for news of Carolinas authors and write her at dpowell@charlotteobserver.com.